U.S. SEEKS EXTRADITION OF CANADIAN POT CRUSADER

Vancouver police armed with a search warrant have raided a pot-seed store
run by Marc Emery, the head of the B.C. Marijuana Party.

The warrant was executed on behalf of the U.S. government.

Emery himself was taken into custody in Halifax.

The document alleges a conspiracy to produce marijuana and distribute seeds
as well as alleging money laundering.

"Their activities resulted in the growing of tens of thousands of marijuana
plants in America. He was involved, allegedly, in an illegal distribution
of marijuana in this country [U.S.]. He is a drug dealer," assistant U.S.
attorney Jeff Sullivan told CBC News.

Vancouver police officers carried out the raid. As a result Emery is out of
business.

Chris Bennett, who works for Emery and was at his office when it was
raided, says he's angry an American warrant was executed by a Canadian
police force.

"They're taking him down to face charges in the United States of America.
And sentences in America for this kind of thing is so much harsher that one
would face in Canada," said Bennett.

U.S. officials allege that Emery has sold as much as $3 million in seeds.

American officials are seeking Emery's extradition, which could take six
months to a year.